IntroductionMany
home theater enthusiasts, myself included, often find themselves
daydreaming about flagship processors, gargantuan amplifiers (the types
that are capable of arc welding), cost-no-object speaker systems, and
subwoofers that can register on the Richter scale. Unfortunately, many
of these products can have prices in the stratosphere, at times
approaching five digits or more for each component. The same enthusiast
may not see the appeal in the necessity of taking out a second home
mortgage in order to acquire the components for assembling such a
“state of the art” system. Fortunately, there are many manufacturers on
the market today whose business philosophy is to provide a high degree
of performance without the soaring prices that these mega-systems often
command. In terms of speakers, several Canadian companies have made
great use of the National Research Council (NRC) laboratories to design
great-performing speakers at very reasonable cost. For those who are
unaware of the NRC, it is the Canadian government’s premier
organization for research and development, devoted to assisting and
promoting scientific and industrial research in a variety of different
technical arenas.

Axiom, a newcomer here in the USA, has been one such Canadian speaker
manufacturer that has taken advantage of this resource and is providing
products with impressive performance at even more striking price
points. Based in Dwight, Ontario, Axiom offers a full line of
loudspeakers that include various multi-driver floor-standing towers,
bookshelf monitors, surround sound speakers, and subwoofers. Their
distribution in the USA is done via direct sales to their customers,
with free shipping and a 30-day money back guarantee. With direct
sales, Axiom reduces the level of distribution mark-ups and therefore
can deliver their products to the end customer at significantly reduced
cost. They also offer several packaged systems including a mid-price
combination referred to as the Epic Grand Master Home Theater Speaker
System ($1,510), the system provided for this review. This particular
package represents an $80 savings over purchasing the individual
components separately. The Epic Grand Master Home Theater Speaker
System, which comes configured for 5.1 channel playback, is comprised
of a pair of Millennia M22ti bookshelf two-way loudspeakers ($400 per
pair), a VP100 center-channel speaker ($220 each), a pair of QS8
Quadpolar surrounds ($470 per pair), and an EP175 self-powered
subwoofer ($500 each). As an addition to the standard Epic Grand Master
system, Axiom also provided the VP150 Center Channel ($350 each) for
review during the evaluation of this system.

DescriptionThe
main speakers used in the Axiom Audio Epic Grand Master Home Theater
Speaker System are the Millennia M22ti monitors. Each speaker
incorporates a single one-inch titanium tweeter and two 5.25-inch
aluminum midrange/woofers in a 19.7-inch-high by 7.7-inch-wide by
8.5-inch-deep semi-triangulated enclosure. This non-symmetrical
enclosure is a feature that Axiom has utilized to minimize standing
waves throughout their line of speakers. The M22ti’s enclosures are
also vented, using what Axiom describes as a “vortex” designed port
(somewhat resembling a corrugated tube) that is reported to increase
the surface area of the port sidewalls and reduce the strength of eddy
currents. This, combined with the curved entrance and exit from the
port, helps eliminate port noise produced by the speaker. The Millennia
M22ti and the center channel speakers were magnetically shielded,
allowing the placement to be directly on top of or next to a standard
CRT television. Axiom lists the weight for each M22ti at 16 pounds. In
addition, all of the Axiom speakers are equipped with quality five-way
binding posts that are easily accessible for making cable connections.
In keeping with their philosophy of value engineering, Axiom utilizes a
wood grain vinyl finish for all of their enclosures. Available in black
oak, maple and cherry, the fit and finish of the vinyl covering was
very good and did not detract from the overall attractive aesthetics of
the Axiom system.

Occupying
the center position of the Epic Grand Master Home Theater system is the
VP 100, which also utilizes a one-inch titanium dome tweeter positioned
between two 5.25-inch aluminum midrange/woofers. The VP 100 enclosure
is also somewhat triangulated, offering a flat side for mounting the
speaker directly above a monitor to create a straightforward radiating
pattern, and a slanted face when positioning the speaker below the
monitor, providing a slight angle up towards the listening position.
Dimensions for the VP 100 are 7.5 inches tall in front, sloping down to
six inches at the back of the speaker, by 17 inches wide by 7.5 inches
deep and weighing in at 11 pounds.

In addition, for this
review, the upgraded VP150 was employed as the center channel. The
VP150 has a very unique driver configuration, with three 5.25-inch
aluminum drivers flanked by two 1-inch titanium tweeters. This
configuration provided a superior listening experience when sitting
off-axis. With a height of 7.5 inches, width of 27 inches and a depth
of 7.5 inches, and similar enclosure angles to the VP 100, the VP150’s
profile looked sleek and slender placed above my viewing monitor.
Weight for this speaker scales in at 17 pounds. This speaker was
utilized throughout the following review and observations.

Serving
as the system’s surround speakers were the Axiom’s QS8s. Axiom refers
to this speaker as a quadpolar multi-directional-firing speaker, once
again in a triangulated enclosure using two one-inch titanium tweeters
firing at 45 degrees off-center and dual 5.25-inch midrange woofers,
one up and one down-firing. Dimensions for the QS8s are 8.25 inches
high by 11 inches wide by six inches deep, with a weight of 11 pounds
per speaker. The surround speakers can easily be wall-mounted, using
the hanging brackets that are provided, or placed upon specially
designed stands to accommodate the unique driver configuration. For
this review, the QSS8 stands were utilized, offering a high degree of
flexibility while placing the surrounds for optimal integration.
Dimensions for this stand are 36 inches tall by 12.5 inches wide by 13
inches deep.

Grounding
the Epic Grand Master system was the EP175 subwoofer, which comes
equipped with a 10-inch aluminum driver, a built-in 175-watt amplifier,
and dual ports. Physical measurements for the EP175 are 17.5 inches
high by 13.5 inches wide by 14.25 inches deep, with a weight of 30
pounds. Adjustability for the subwoofer includes a 30-150 hertz
variable low pass filter, 0 or 180-degree variable phase switch, and
output level control.

SetupThe Epic
Grand Master system proved to be very easy to set up. With the M22ti
main speakers approximately three feet from the rear wall and spaced
eight feet apart, this combination created a very solid sound stage
when listening to two-channel sources. The M22ti sounded very accurate
but a bit lean without the subwoofer. Though the VP 100 is the standard
center channel for this system, and works well with the rest of the
speakers, the VP150 outperformed it. Placing the VP150 center channel
directly on top of the monitor and positioning the surround speakers on
the provided stand approximately 15 degrees behind the listening
position made for a very cohesive listening environment. The final
speaker locations were relatively close to those of my reference
system. I also placed the subwoofer approximately two feet from the
front corner to take advantage of the additional room gain, while still
pursuing a smooth frequency response through the lower registers. All
along, I sensed that the Axiom system could be very forgiving of
speaker location, and was less fickle about placement than previous
systems that I have incorporated into my particular listening
environments.

MoviesMy
evaluation of the Axiom theater system began with the high-voltage,
testosterone-filled sport film “Any Given Sunday” (Warner Home Video).
Under Oliver Stone's direction, this film depicts the on and off-field
personalities, dynamics, and antics of a professional football
organization. With a cast of top name actors and a running time just
shy of three hours, this movie provides ample action scenes to evaluate
the multiple attributes of this surround system. The QS8s provided
excellent ambient information during the on-field action scenes, while
the VP150 provided a very palatable sense of the physical impact of
bone-jarring tackles and the high-energy presence of the players during
heavy contact. The Axiom speaker system did an excellent job of
creating that “you are there” sensation. The movie also uses a
menagerie of hip-hop, rap, and rock to heighten the emotional impact of
certain scenes. The Axiom system exhibited great delineation between
the movie’s ambient soundtrack and the musical overlay, easily
exhibiting Stone's intent in these sonic passages.

Switching over to a lighter side of things, I broke out the 1998
Farrelly Brothers comedy “There's Something About Mary” (Twentieth
Century Fox Home Entertainment). This movie is definitely not your
traditional Hollywood blockbuster, but the soundtrack still offers many
musical and acoustic nuances that displayed the Axiom’s abilities.
There are several musical interludes performed by Jonathan Richman,
consisting of very simple vocal and acoustic guitar segments wherein
the Axiom system creates a great soundstage that envelops the listener.
Dialogue through the VP150 center channel was superb. Voices sounded
natural, delineated, and unrestrained. Throughout the more dynamic
scenes of this film, the Axiom system kept pace with the soundtrack,
never seeming limited at the extremes. This movie does not test the
subterranean bass output of a subwoofer, but it still has enough
low-frequency information for you to determine the naturalness of a
subwoofer’s contribution. The EP175 is very neutral, never boomy or
heavy, but will not produce enormous amounts of sub 30-Hertz output.
What it does add to the sonic mix is convincing and enjoyable.

Peter
Frampton – Live in Detroit (Image Entertainment) tested the Axiom’s
ability to do justice to a rock concert. Like most well-done concert
videos, the surrounds carry primarily hall ambience and the crowd, not
calling attention to themselves as separate sources, and the QS8s were
easily up to the task. The Epic Grand Master system portrayed the
excitement and electricity of the show and audience, particularly
during old favorites. “(I’ll Give You) Money” was outstanding,
showcasing the VP150 center channel’s midrange clarity and balanced
dispersion characteristics, along with exceptional integration with the
M22tis across the front. A small get-together of friends at my house
broke into an air guitar and air drum fest. The Axioms can rock pretty
darn hard, especially if you have a smaller room. “Lines On My Face”
showed off the VP150’s and M22ti’s ability to convey delicate details.
The emotion of this song was captivating and beautiful, the soundstage
seamless and deep. The sound was big, creating an energy throughout the
room that I loved, even as I moved about. This track demonstrated the
Axiom’s excellent off-axis performance, which is likely a major reason
that the speakers came off very well, even when they were introduced to
a different listening environment.

MusicSting’s
Nothing Like the Sun (DTS Entertainment – 5.1) was used to exercise the
entire Axiom Epic Grand Master Home Theater speaker system’s music
capabilities. Most of this disc has instruments placed entirely in the
fairly aggressively mixed surrounds, including “Be Still My Beating
Heart.” This cut was very enjoyable as the QS8 surrounds floated the
music around Sting’s clear vocals, with an airy, almost ethereal feel
to it. The M22ti and VP150 did a terrific job relaying the haunting
melody of “They Dance Alone.” The firmly centered vocals pulled
everything together, including the crisp percussion and Branford
Marsalis’ flowing sax. The vocals were just a tad rough at times
compared to the rest of the presentation, but that was likely due to
the recording itself, since the VP150 did not sound overly harsh on
other cuts. Overall, the Axioms were very natural-sounding and
non-fatiguing without being boring. To quote a too often used phrase,
the Axioms’ sins were those of omission. They may not be able to fill a
huge listening room to reference levels, but they can get surprisingly
close before they begin to compress dynamics and harden slightly.

For two-channel-mode auditioning, the M22ti bookshelf speakers were
used in conjunction with the EP175 subwoofer. One particular CD that
stood out was Mark Knopfler’s The Ragpicker’s Dream (Warner Brothers).
Kudos to producers Chuck Ainlay and Knopfler, as well as mastering
engineer Tony Cousins, for creating a much more natural, less
hard-edged recording than many of Knopfler’s Dire Straits albums. The
relatively mellow track “You Don’t Know You’re Born” is full of
Knopfler’s trademark understated guitar work. The M22tis delineated
each and every note with excellent clarity, but without edginess,
effectively featuring all of the delicate detail. The following track,
“Coyote,” is a driving, growling cut that starts with a centered,
captivating bass line and builds up around the listener from there. It
was impossible not to bob and weave to the EP175’s driving beat, while
reveling in the M22ti SE’s crisp transients and solid center image. The
combination integrated extremely well, filling the room with a
convincing, three-dimensional soundstage.

The DownsideConsidering
the performance to cost ratio, there's little one can fault with the
Axiom Audio Epic Grand Master Home Theater system. Total SPL for this
system was very impressive, but as with most systems using small
monitors, the sound can become somewhat compressed and congested at
high volumes. In addition, the EP175 may be better described as a
woofer rather than a subwoofer, but its integration with the rest of
the speakers is excellent. If you want room-shaking bass for dinosaurs,
tanks or rocket launches in your living room, you may want to consider
a more substantial subwoofer.

ConclusionAxiom
has unquestionably succeeded in packaging a great home theater ensemble
with the Epic Grand Master Home Theater System, at a price much lower
than one would expect for its level of performance. Because of its very
affordable cost, some may question its overall abilities. The Millennia
M22ti monitors, VP150 center channel, and QS8 surround speakers are all
standout performers. At first glance one might wonder if the relatively
modest EP175 subwoofer might be the weak link in the system, especially
those who like full, visceral low end. But for the most part, I just
enjoyed the sound without even thinking about the bass by itself.
What's more, I found myself continuing to ponder past purchases that
equaled the total Axiom system’s price, acknowledging to myself that
few of them provided anywhere close to the amount of pleasure that the
Epic Grand Master Home Theater System delivered. This system was truly
fun to listen to, not only from my reference listening position, but as
I moved throughout the room as well. What you get with Axiom Audio Epic
Grand Master Home Theater Speaker System is a truly synergistic, full
range, enveloping system that will remain satisfying over the long
haul. They sounded very good in every room I tried them, and got better
with a minimum amount of system tuning. I highly advocate that anyone
looking for a complete home theater speaker system, at this price point
and above, should consider the Axiom Audio Epic Grand Master Home
Theater System.